Dongran Zhai, Ph.D.
Download CV (PDF)Education
Ph.D. in Ocean Sciences
University of California, Santa Cruz
M.S. in Ocean Sciences
University of California, Santa Cruz
GPA: 3.8/4.0
Exchange Student in Marine and Environmental Management
National Taiwan Ocean University
GPA: 4.0/4.0
B.S. in Marine Biological Technology
Nantong University
GPA: 3.9/4.0
Appointments
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Tsinghua University
- • Developed a data-driven framework integrating multi-source satellite and reanalysis data to quantify typhoon and extreme climate impacts on phytoplankton dynamics.
- • Revealed nonlinear response mechanisms of chlorophyll a seasonal cycles to storm-induced perturbations, providing a predictive basis for ecological responses under climate variability.
Research Fellow
University of California, Santa Cruz
- • Conducting independent research on marine ecosystem change and climate variability.
- • Applying statistical modeling, remote sensing, and Earth system model analysis to quantify ecosystem responses to anthropogenic forcing.
Awards & Scholarships
Excellence in Mini-Project, 3rd Prize, Fudan University
Ocean Sciences Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Funds
Graduate Dean's Research Travel Grant
Graduate Student Cultivation Grant Award (from UCSC GEODES)
Chinese Scholarship Council and UC Santa Cruz Joint Scholarship (AEPSO) for Ph.D. student
Excellence in Exchange Study Scholarship
Undergraduate Scholarships
Merit Student Award, Nantong Education Bureau
Excellent Group Award, Research Training and Development Competition
Excellent Student Cadre Award, Student Union of Nantong University
Publications
Zhai, D., Beaulieu, C.
Detection and Attribution of Changes in Ocean Chlorophyll: Insights from Satellite Observations and CMIP6 Simulations
Beaulieu, C., Zhai, D., Lopez, B., Giamalaki, K.
Trends in sea surface temperature extremes over 1982-2024
Zhai, D., Beaulieu, C., Hammond, M. L., Sahu, S. K.
A Bayesian dynamic space-time model informed by optical variability for detecting trends in ocean satellite chlorophyll
Hammond, M. L., Ramos, M., Gallardo, M. A., Zhai, D. et al.
Future Changes in Stressors for the Seamount Chains of the Southeast Pacific
Frontiers in Marine Science
Guo, G., Zhou, F., Wu, Q., Zhai, D.
Multi-granularity alignment for crop diseases detection
Plant Phenomics
Zhai, D., Beaulieu, C., Kudela, R. M.
Long-term trends in the distribution of ocean chlorophyll
Geophysical Research Letters
Light T, Norris E, Zhai D, Varner R, Lanpher KB, Capone D, Erazo NG and Norris R
All Aboard! Behind the Scenes of a Scientific Research Cruise
Frontiers for Young Minds
Erazo, N.G., Light, T., Capone, D.A., ... Zhai, D., and Norris, R.D.
The ocean as a classroom: Considering the roles of equity, diversity, and justice in oceanographic knowledge production
Oceanography
Zhang K, Zhai D.
Are Paper Straws Friendly to the Marine Ecosystem?
Scientific and Social Research
Yin, W., Zhong, F., Zhai, D., et al.
Countermeasure Analysis of Water Environmental Remediation in Small-Scale Urban Rivers: A Case Study of a College Campus River
Journal of Nantong University (Natural Science Edition)
Zhong, F., Zhou, Y., Liu, W., Li, Y., Zhai, D., et al.
Coupling Device of an Ecological Floating Island and Microbial Fuel Cell
Chinese Invention Patent (CN201810726051.0)
Research Experience
Graduate Student Researcher
University of California, Santa Cruz
- • Ph.D. research on the detection and attribution of anthropogenic climate change in global ocean chlorophyll.
- • Developed novel methods integrating satellite remote sensing with climate model simulations.
- • Skills: Bayesian framework, space–time series analysis, Linux/HPC computing.
International Summer School Program on Climate Change and Related Risks
Fudan University, Shanghai, China (Supported by WMO, MAP-AQ, IRDR)
- • Served as team leader (6 scholars) of a mini-project on land–atmosphere coupling and its role in modulating heatwaves and droughts in past and future climates.
- • Project awarded 3rd Prize and Fellowship.
Research Cruise Participant
R/V Sally Ride, Pacific Ocean, San Diego – 32.7°N transect
- • Participated in a one-week field campaign sampling water and plankton at 5 in situ stations.
- • Gained experience in oceanographic field sampling, biogeochemical measurements, and cruise operations.
Participant, 'Hacking 4 Oceans' Innovation Program
University of California, Santa Cruz
- • Collaborated with ocean-focused companies and NGOs to develop solutions to real-world ocean sustainability challenges.
- • Applied systems thinking, policy design, and technological innovation in interdisciplinary teamwork.
Undergraduate Researcher
Nantong University, China
- • Built sediment microbial fuel cells and designed controlled experiments by varying organic matter concentration in the anode area, achieving optimized power generation efficiency.
Research Intern
Marine Biotechnology Laboratory, Marine Fisheries Research Institute of Jiangsu Province
- • Assisted in cyclic cultivation of nitrogen-fixing microorganisms, prepared experimental reports, and operated laboratory instruments for water sample biochemical analyses.
'Challenge Cup' National College Academic Competition
Nantong University, China
- • Team project: System design of CW-MFC and its application in nitrogen-containing sewage treatment.
'Ocean Star' Research Fieldwork
Nantong Fisheries Bureau, China
- • Led an 8-member project team to conduct literature review presentations, interviews with institutional researchers, field surveys, questionnaire-based assessments, and preparation of the final project report.
Presentations
Can anthropogenic influence on ocean chlorophyll be detected through observations?
The American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fall Meeting
Dynamic space-time modeling for detecting trends in ocean chlorophyll
Southern California Biogeochemical Ocean Observations and Models (SoCal BOOM) Symposium
Assessing trends in satellite ocean chlorophyll through a dynamic space-time model lens
Monterey Bay Marine GIS Annual Meeting
Assessing long-term trends in ocean chlorophyll using a dynamic space-time model
Ocean Sciences Meeting (OSM)
Long-term trends in the extremes and variability of global and regional ocean chlorophyll concentrations
The American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fall Meeting
Long-term trends in the distribution of ocean chlorophyll
University of California Santa Cruz Postdocs Association (USPA) Postdoc Symposium
Detecting long-term trends in satellite ocean chlorophyll
Southern California Biogeochemical Ocean Observations and Models (SoCal BOOM) Symposium
Detecting long-term trends in satellite ocean chlorophyll
Ocean Sciences Meeting (OSM)
Teaching Experience
Mentoring Experience
Science Internship Program (University of California, Santa Cruz)
Mentored three high school students on climate change projections using CMIP6 model simulations.
Science Internship Program (University of California, Santa Cruz)
Supervised three high school students conducting research on ocean chlorophyll variability during the summer internship.
Independent Mentorship (China)
Guided a high school student in designing and conducting a project on marine pollution.
Undergraduate Research Mentorship (China)
Co-authored a research article with an undergraduate student on the impact of plastic straws on marine ecosystems.
Service & Leadership
Peer Mentor
Ocean Sciences Department, UC Santa Cruz
- • Supported first-year graduate students in adapting to academic expectations and community life.
- • Provided one-on-one mentorship and organized peer engagement activities.
Vice-President, Student Union
Nantong University
- • Coordinated student activities and represented student interests at the university level.
- • Oversaw committees and contributed to campus-wide initiatives.
Vice-President, Mo Wen-Sui Volunteer Association
Nantong University
- • Directed volunteer teams in community outreach and service projects.
- • Organized large-scale events and managed member recruitment and training.
Peer Reviewer
- • Journals: Geophysical Research Letters, Water Resources Research, Journal of Geophysical Research - Oceans, Earth and Space Science, Environmental Sustainability, Current Opinion in Environmental Science & Health, Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science (12 reviews in total).
- • Proposals: Chinese Scholarship Council.
- • Conference: Reviewer for AGU 2023 Outstanding Student Presentation Award (OPSA).